Self-preparation for IELTS includes working on all parts of the test. Where and how can one better get ready for IELTS Reading?
Both IELTS tests, academic and general, check different reading skills, such as reading for gist, understanding main ideas, details, recognizing authors’ attitudes, how the argument develops in the text, and so on.
IELTS uses different texts to test these skills. You can see such texts as articles from periodicals, professional magazines, books and newspapers at IELTS Academic. Texts related to daily life, work and general interests, such as announcements, booklets, leaflets, handbooks, notes, newspaper and magazine articles could be seen at IELTS General.
We suggest using a number of resources to develop your English reading skills. These materials are very well suited as samples for IELTS Reading.
IELTS Reading Lessons
Reading Practices from IELTSLiz will help you familiarize yourself with the texts and tasks for IELTS Reading. These are not test samples but lessons designed specifically for reading practice. There are lessons for different levels with different types of tasks and answers to them.
IELTSBuddy offers a series of lessons that cover all types of questions you might encounter in the IELTS Academic test. Each lesson includes reading with 600 to 800 words, questions and answer keys.
IELTS-up offers a series of lessons and reading exercises. This site also has IELTS Reading practice tests.
Useful websites
In addition to doing IELTS practice tests or lessons, you should regularly read in English. Of course, do not limit yourself to IELTS hands-on materials. Reading English newspapers and magazines is a great way to develop reading skills. Many texts for IELTS Reading have been selected from the following sources.
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- Aside from National Geographic, which covers environmental issues, culture, nature and animals and is a very showy website with many amazing pictures.
- BBC News is a great resource with academic English, and it keeps up with current world issues and, of course.
- The Economist covers world politics, economics, science and technology and offers 3 articles a week for free if you sign up. There are other useful resources:
- http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/ with free texts and exercises on business and work.
- http://historynewsnetwork.org/: an American site devoted to the history both in the US and around the world, with a variety of articles on current events.
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/ : news, thoughts and more from the UK’s most renowned media. Also a good site for listening practice.
IELTS Practice Reading Tests
IELTS Online Tests.com offers a few good trial tests of IELTS Reading. Most candidates take General IELTS, but you may need Academic IELTS for certain professions and university programs. IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic Training can be practiced on this site.
TakeIELTS is an official website of the British Council, where you can take a reading test. Just choose general or academic. You will have 1 hour to complete all 3 sections of the IELTS Reading section.
IELTS-Exam is a test sample resource for all IELTS skills. Also on this site you will be able to take the Mock Test, which will not only introduce you to the IELTS format, but also give you an idea of how you will take the test. In one hour, you will pass a full test, which will improve your time management skills and identify realistic expectations of your potential results.
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